Decorative Style: The Most Original and Comprehensive Sourcebook of Styles, Treatments, Techniques

This is one of the only "inspirational" decorative books that I have kept for years. Why? Because in addition in inspriring, it tells me what I need to do it. And it lets me feel that these finishes are within my grasp. Now all I really need is a house with rooms big enough to do much of this!

As a professional faux finisher without a college-based decorating background, I never formally learned of all the different decorating periods with their styles, colors, textures and accessories. "Decorative Style" surely is a grand book to comfortably and interestingly guide me through assisting my client with appropriate color choices to match their present accessories or to start anew. Unique faux finishing techniques with great illustrations and instructions are displayed in the scenerios. A great book! Sits proud on my shelf.

As a painter/designer looking for new ways to enliven home and commercial spaces, this book hit the spot. For me, while McCloud's "scenes" didn't strike a chord, many, many "pieces" of the scenes resonated with me. Unlike the plethora of cutesy decorating books with "canned soup formulas", McCloud's book is fresh and innovative, and the author, "project patient". The author seems to have experimented over the years with loads of techniques...some that worked, and others that crashed and burned! And WE get to benefit from his laborious, creative risk taking and personal discoveries. McCloud presents many "looks", and tools/supplies lists, without presenting exact formulas. His work is labor intensive. For these reasons, this book may drive some individuals mad! Yet, as a teachable, yet often driven, independent artist, I relate to this way of working, as it points me in a general direction, and in my not copying an exact formula or "scene", keeps each project fresh. While I "recycle" far too many books of this genre, this unique sourcebook of Mr. McCloud's is destined to spend its days on my reference shelf of favorites! Thank you, Kevin!

I've been painting for the past twelve years in all mediums and genre but have never had a book go more in depth on arriving at a complete creation. Kevin McCloud's explanation and visual examples make even the most difficult techniques fall into a mere series of steps. From recipes for mixing paints to accesories for the finished room, Mr. McCloud has covered it all.

For the serious decorative painter, Kevin McCloud's book is not only inspirational, but complete in details of "how-tos". The format is two-fold: each "vynette" (small room view) gives a finished project, with alternate color options, plus a basic "recipe" of technique to achieve the same breathtaking results. A great sourcebook to inspire you, your decorator/designer clientelle or to give the "big picture" to a potential client who has difficulty envisioning the finished project. A wonderful find, several years ago when I was looking for "professional" help and wanted to go beyond the basic start I had with the Jacosta Innes' "Paint Magic" books. A good investment for your reference library, as a decorative painter or designer.